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FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

IDP Game Breakdowns Star Ratings: Week 1
Steve Gallo September 8, 2011	Print

This is part 2 in the weekly IDP Game Breakdown series. Star Ratings boxes utilize the same color coding as the reference chart in part 1. Each team's ratings box is colored to show the tackle opportunities the team they are facing is giving up: average (highlighted in yellow), below average (highlighted in red) & above average (highlighted in green). This will help so that you can quickly see the good vs. bad vs. neutral matchups and also if you are stuck between who to start out of say two 3 Star players then you will probably want to go with the one that has a "Green" matchup versus a "Red" matchup (remember Scheme Matters).

Star ratings are based on a 12-team league with the following starting requirements: 2 defensive linemen (DL) (defensive ends (DE) & defensive tackles (DT)), 3 linebackers (LB), 3 defensive backs (DB) (cornerbacks (CB) & safeties (S)).

Scoring system used for this article: solo tackle (2), assisted tackle (1), sack (3), forced or recovered fumble (3), interception (3) and pass defended (1).

Tackle opportunity stats as well as other stats utilized in the breakdowns are derived from data provided by NFLData.com.

Follow me on twitter @IDPSteve and if you have any questions, criticisms, or suggestions feel free to e-mail me at IDPSteve@gmail.com. For specific lineup questions please be sure to visit our IDP Forum. Good luck & enjoy!

Star Rating System
5-Star Play: Studly performance anticipated
4-Star Play: Above average performance anticipated
3-Star Play: Average starter performance anticipated
2-Star Play: Risky Starter/ Sleeper
1-Star Play: Pine rider, keep 'em on the bench, too risky to start
IR = Injured Reserve
OUT = player will not play due to injury
Injured = player injured but not yet ruled out, too much risk to rank
# = bump player up one level in DT mandatory leagues

REMINDER: STAR RANKING BOXES ARE COLOR CODED BASED ON THE TACKLE OPPORTUNITIES THE TEAM THEY ARE FACING IS GIVING UP ON AVERAGE THIS YEAR. HOWEVER, WEEK 1 IS BASED ON LAST YEAR'S FINAL STATS.

Arizona Cardinals

OPPONENT: PANTHERS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Calais Campbell	4
DE	Darnell Dockett	3
DT	Dan Williams	1
LB	Daryl Washington	2
LB	Paris Lenon	2
LB	Stewart Bradley	1
LB	Joey Porter	2
LB	Clark Haggans	1
LB	O'Brien Schofield	1
S	Kerry Rhodes	3
S	Adrian Wilson	2
S	Rashad Johnson	1
CB	Patrick Peterson	1
CB	A.J. Jefferson	1
CB	Richard Marshall	1

Atlanta Falcons

OPPONENT: @ BEARS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	John Abraham	3
DE	Ray Edwards	3
DT	Jonathan Babineaux	2#
DT	Corey Peters	1
DT	Peria Jerry	1
LB	Curtis Lofton	3
LB	Sean Weatherspoon	3
LB	Stephen Nicholas	2
S	William Moore	4
S	Thomas DeCoud	2
CB	Brent Grimes	3
CB	Dunta Robinson	3

Baltimore Ravens

OPPONENT: STEELERS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Terrell Suggs	4
DE	Arthur Jones	2
DT	Haloti Ngata	3#
DT	Terrence Cody	2
LB	Ray Lewis	4
LB	Jameel McClain	2
LB	Jarret Johnson	2
S	Ed Reed	2
S	Tom Zbikowski	2
S	Bernard Pollard	3
CB	Jimmy Smith	1

Buffalo Bills

OPPONENT: @ CHIEFS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Marcell Dareus	2
DE	Dwan Edwards	2
DT	Kyle Williams	3#
LB	Nick Barnett	4
LB	Andra Davis	3
LB	Shawne Merriman	2
LB	Chris Kelsay	1
LB	Kirk Morrison	1
S	George Wilson	3
S	Bryan Scott	2
S	Jairus Byrd	1
CB	Drayton Florence	1
CB	Terrence McGee	1
CB	Leodis McKelvin	1

Carolina Panthers

OPPONENT: @ CARDINALS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Charles Johnson	4
DE	Greg Hardy	2
DT	Sione Fua	1
DT	Terrell McClain	1
LB	Jon Beason	1
LB	Thomas Davis	3
LB	James Anderson	3
LB	Dan Connor	2
S	Charles Godfrey	3
S	Sherrod Martin	2
CB	Chris Gamble	3
CB	Captain Munnerlyn	3

Chicago Bears

OPPONENT: FALCONS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Julius Peppers	3
DE	Israel Idonije	2
DT	Anthony Adams	1
DT	Henry Melton	2#
LB	Brian Urlacher	3
LB	Lance Briggs	4
LB	Nick Roach	1
S	Chris Harris	2
S	Major Wright	2
S	Brandon Meriweather	1
CB	Charles Tillman	3
CB	Tim Jennings	2

Cincinnati Bengals

OPPONENT: @ BROWNS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Carlos Dunlap	3
DE	Michael Johnson	3
DE	Robert Geathers	2
DT	Domata Peko	1
DT	Geno Atkins	2
LB	Rey Maualuga	4
LB	Thomas Howard	3
LB	Manny Lawson	1
S	Chris Crocker	2
S	Reggie Nelson	2
S	Gibril Wilson	1
S	Taylor Mays	1
CB	Leon Hall	2
CB	Nate Clements	2

Cleveland Browns

OPPONENT: BENGALS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Jabaal Sheard	3
DE	Jayme Mitchell	2
DE	Marcus Benard	2
DT	Phil Taylor	2
DT	Ahtyba Rubin	2#
LB	D'Qwell Jackson	4
LB	Chris Gocong	2
LB	Scott Fujita	2
S	T.J. Ward	3
S	Usama Young	2
CB	Joe Haden	2
CB	Sheldon Brown	1

Dallas Cowboys

OPPONENT: @ JETS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Marcus Spears	1
DE	Kenyon Coleman	1
DT	Jay Ratliff	2#
LB	Bradie James	3
LB	Keith Brooking	2
LB	Sean Lee	2
LB	DeMarcus Ware	2
S	Abram Elam	3
S	Gerald Sensabaugh	2
CB	Terence Newman	injured
CB	Mike Jenkins	2
CB	Orlando Scandrick	2

Denver Broncos

OPPONENT: RAIDERS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Elvis Dumervil	5
DE	Robert Ayers	2
DT	Broderick Bunkley	1
DT	Kevin Vickerson	1
LB	D.J. Williams	injured
LB	Von Miller	3
LB	Joe Mays	2
LB	Wesley Woodyard	2
S	Brian Dawkins	3
S	Rahim Moore	2
CB	Champ Bailey	2
CB	Andre' Goodman	1

Detroit Lions

OPPONENT: @ BUCCANEERS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Kyle Vanden Bosch	2
DE	Cliff Avril	2
DT	Ndamukong Suh	3#
DT	Corey Williams	1
DT	Nick Fairley	injured
LB	Stephen Tulloch	3
LB	DeAndre Levy	3
LB	Justin Durant	2
S	Louis Delmas	3
S	Amari Spievey	2
CB	Chris Houston	2
CB	Eric Wright	2

Green Bay Packers

OPPONENT: SAINTS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Ryan Pickett	1
DE	Mike Neal	1
DT	B.J. Raji	2
LB	Desmond Bishop	5
LB	A.J. Hawk	3
LB	Clay Matthews	2
LB	Erik Walden	1
S	Nick Collins	3
S	Morgan Burnett	3
CB	Charles Woodson	4
CB	Tramon Williams	3

Houston Texans

OPPONENT: COLTS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	J. J. Watt	2
DE	Antonio Smith	2
DT	Earl Mitchell	1
LB	DeMeco Ryans	2
LB	Brian Cushing	3
LB	Mario Williams	3
LB	Connor Barwin	2
S	Glover Quin	2
S	Danieal Manning	2
CB	Johnathan Joseph	2
CB	Kareem Jackson	2

Indianapolis Colts

OPPONENT: @ TEXANS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Robert Mathis	3
DE	Dwight Freeney	2
LB	Gary Brackett	3
LB	Pat Angerer	2
LB	Kavell Conner	3
LB	Ernie Sims	1
LB	Phillip Wheeler	1
S	Antoine Bethea	3
S	Melvin Bullitt	3
CB	Jerraud Powers	3
CB	Jacob Lacey	3

Jacksonville Jaguars

OPPONENT: TITANS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Aaron Kampman	2
DE	Austen Lane	2
DE	Matt Roth	2
DT	Tyson Alualu	3#
LB	Paul Posluszny	4
LB	Clint Session	2
LB	Daryl Smith	2
S	Courtney Greene	3
S	Dawan Landry	3
CB	Rashean Mathis	2
CB	Derek Cox	1

Kansas City Chiefs

OPPONENT: BILLS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Glenn Dorsey	3
DE	Tyson Jackson	1
DT	Kelly Gregg	2
LB	Derrick Johnson	4
LB	Tamba Hali	3
LB	Jovan Belcher	1
LB	Andy Studebaker	1
S	Eric Berry	4
S	Kendrick Lewis	2
CB	Brandon Flowers	3
CB	Brandon Carr	2

Miami Dolphins

OPPONENT: PATRIOTS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Randy Starks	1
DE	Kendall Langford	1
DT	Paul Soliai	1
LB	Karlos Dansby	4
LB	Kevin Burnett	3
LB	Cameron Wake	2
LB	Koa Misi	1
S	Yeremiah Bell	5
S	Chris Clemons	3
S	Reshad Jones	2
CB	Vontae Davis	2
CB	Sean Smith	2

Minnesota Vikings

OPPONENT: CHARGERS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Jared Allen	3
DE	Brian Robison	2
DT	Kevin Williams	Suspended
DT	Remi Ayodele	1
DT	Letroy Guion	1
LB	Chad Greenway	4
LB	E.J. Henderson	3
LB	Erin Henderson	2
S	Jamarca Sanford	2
S	Husain Abdullah	3
CB	Antoine Winfield	3
CB	Cedric Griffin	2

New England Patriots

OPPONENT: @ DOLPHINS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Shaun Ellis	2
DE	Andre Carter	3
DT	Vince Wilfork	2
DT	Albert Haynesworth	2
LB	Jerod Mayo	5
LB	Brandon Spikes	2
LB	Rob Ninkovich	1
S	Patrick Chung	3
S	Sergio Brown	2
CB	Devin McCourty	2
CB	Leigh Bodden	1

New Orleans Saints

OPPONENT: @ PACKERS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Will Smith	Suspended
DE	Turk McBride	2
DE	Jeff Charleston	1
DE	Cameron Jordan	1
DT	Sedrick Ellis	2#
DT	Shaun Rogers	2
LB	Jonathan Vilma	3
LB	Jonathan Casillas	1
LB	Will Herring	1
LB	Scott Shanle	1
S	Roman Harper	5
S	Malcolm Jenkins	4
CB	Jabari Greer	3
CB	Tracy Porter	2

New York Giants

OPPONENT: @ REDSKINS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Justin Tuck	5
DE	Jason Pierre-Paul	4
DE	Osi Umenyiora	1
DT	Chris Canty	1
LB	Michael Boley	2
LB	Greg Jones	1
LB	Kawika Mitchell (expected signing)	1
LB	Mathias Kiwanuka	2
S	Kenny Phillips	3
S	Antrel Rolle	3
CB	Corey Webster	2
CB	Aaron Ross	2
CB	Prince Amukamara	Injured

New York Jets

OPPONENT: COWBOYS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Muhammad Wilkerson	1
DE	Mike Devito	1
DT	Sione Pouha	1
LB	David Harris	3
LB	Bart Scott	2
LB	Calvin Pace	2
LB	Bryan Thomas	2
S	Eric Smith	2
S	Jim Leonhard	3
CB	Darrelle Revis	1
CB	Antonio Cromartie	2

Oakland Raiders

OPPONENT: @ BRONCOS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Matt Shaughnessy	4
DE	Lamarr Houston	3
DT	Richard Seymour	2#
DT	Tommy Kelly	2#
LB	Rolando McClain	3
LB	Kamerion Wimbley	1
LB	Quentin Groves	1
S	Tyvon Branch	3
S	Michael Huff	2
CB	Stanford Routt	1
CB	Chris Johnson	1

Philadelphia Eagles

OPPONENT: @ RAMS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Trent Cole	4
DE	Jason Babin	3
DT	Cullen Jenkins	1
DT	Antonio Dixon	1
DT	Mike Patterson	1
LB	Casey Matthews	3
LB	Jamar Chaney	3
LB	Moise Fokou	2
S	Kurt Coleman	3
S	Jaiquawn Jarrett	2
S	Nate Allen	2
S	Jarrad Page	2
CB	Nnamdi Asomugha	1
CB	Asante Samuel	2
CB	Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie	2

Pittsburgh Steelers

OPPONENT: @ RAVENS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Brett Keisel	1
DE	Aaron Smith	1
DT	Casey Hampton	2
LB	Lawrence Timmons	4
LB	James Harrison	3
LB	LaMarr Woodley	2
LB	James Farrior	3
S	Troy Polamalu	4
S	Ryan Clark	2
CB	Ike Taylor	2
CB	Bryant McFadden	2

San Diego Chargers

OPPONENT: VIKINGS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Luis Castillo	1
DE	Corey Liuget	1
DT	Antonio Garay	2#
LB	Donald Butler	4
LB	Takeo Spikes	3
LB	Shaun Phillips	3
LB	Larry English	2
S	Eric Weddle	3
S	Bob Sanders	3
CB	Quentin Jammer	1
CB	Antoine Cason	2

San Francisco 49ers

OPPONENT: SEAHAWKS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Justin Smith	3
DE	Ray McDonald	1
DT	Isaac Sopoaga	1
LB	Patrick Willis	4
LB	NaVorro Bowman	2
LB	Ahmad Brooks	1
LB	Parys Haralson	1
S	Donte Whitner	3
S	Dashon Goldson	2
S	Madieu Williams	1
CB	Carlos Rogers	1
CB	Tarell Brown	1

Seattle Seahawks

OPPONENT: @ 49ERS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Chris Clemons	3
DE	Red Bryant	2
DT	Brandon Mebane	2
DT	Alan Branch	1
LB	David Hawthorne	4
LB	Aaron Curry	3
LB	Leroy Hill	2
S	Kam Chancellor	4
S	Earl Thomas	3
CB	Marcus Trufant	2
CB	Walter Thurmond III	2

St. Louis Rams

OPPONENT: EAGLES
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Chris Long	3
DE	James Hall	2
DE	Robert Quinn	2
DT	Fred Robbins	1
LB	James Laurinaitis	3
LB	Ben Leber	2
LB	Brady Poppinga	1
S	Quintin Mikell	4
S	Darian Stewart	3
S	Craig Dahl	2
CB	Bradley Fletcher	2
CB	Ronald Bartell	2

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

OPPONENT: LIONS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Adrian Clayborn	2
DE	Michael Bennett	2
DE	Da'Quan Bowers	1
DT	Gerald McCoy	1
LB	Mason Foster	2
LB	Geno Hayes	3
LB	Quincy Black	2
S	Sean Jones	2
S	Cody Grimm	2
S	Tanard Jackson	Suspended
CB	Ronde Barber	3
CB	Aqib Talib	2

Tennessee Titans

OPPONENT: @ JAGUARS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Jason Jones	3
DE	William Hayes	3
DE	Derrick Morgan	1
LB	Barrett Ruud	4
LB	Will Witherspoon	2
LB	Akeem Ayers	2
S	Chris Hope	3
S	Michael Griffin	3
CB	Cortland Finnegan	3
CB	Alterraun Verner	2
CB	Jason McCourty	2

Washington Redskins

OPPONENT: GIANTS
Pos	Player	Star Rank
DE	Stephen Bowen	1
DE	Adam Carriker	1
DT	Barry Cofield	1
LB	London Fletcher	4
LB	Rocky McIntosh	3
LB	Brian Orakpo	2
LB	Ryan Kerrigan	1
S	LaRon Landry	Injured
S	O.J. Atogwe	4
S	Reed Doughty	3
CB	DeAngelo Hall	2
CB	Josh Wilson	2

COMMENTS (page 1 of 1)

Steve G.

Posted Sep 8, 2011 7:39pm EDT

Ray,

I should also say that i think the ratings do make more sense after you read the narrative so you would think that the narrative would get published earlier. Unfortunately, writing those narratives are very time consuming and takes everything I have to get finished by my 2am deadline on Wed. nights. The ratings are just easier to push out earlier and people seem to want things earlier so that was why the format changed some this year.

Steve G.

Posted Sep 8, 2011 7:35pm EDT

Ray,

The explanations/narrative is part 3 and will be available on Fridays like in years past.

Dave,

Woodley hasn't put up fantasy numbers as consistently as Harrison has in the past. For now the past is all I have to look at...Things could change this year and if the trends change my ratings will reflect it....Harrison is also practicing fully so the back doesn't concern me. This is a big game and he has a big ego, I just think he does a bit more to warrant starting vs Woodley.

Ray

Posted Sep 8, 2011 7:19pm EDT

I prefer the old format where you gave explanations as to why each person received their star rating.

Dave L.

Posted Sep 8, 2011 6:48pm EDT

The format is very easy to understand. Nice job!

Interesting that you're thinking that James Harrison might have a better performance than Lamar Woodley considering Harrison's back surgery. Interested in your thoughts. I was thinking of dropping Harrison for Woodley in a league.

Thanks.

Steve G.

Posted Sep 8, 2011 6:01pm EDT

Bob,

I think that I answer that question in "part 3" tomorrow. I trust you will still read them so I will just tell you that I think Lofton has a bit more upside this week.

Dominic,
Ware is an inconsistent performer in a tackle heavy format. Interceptions, are even harder to predict than sacks so I just look at them as gravy and for the most part they don't factor into my ratinigs. I also think you have the wrong read on Ware this week. Sure he could get a sack or two, or even three but that is what he would need to be a solid starter...Tackle wise I just don't see it...this Jets ran the ball between the tackles almost 60% of the time this pre-season...To top it off the Jets only ran about an average of 7.5 times from the right tackle out...That severely limits Ware's tackle opportunity....Tackles just aren't his game and that makes him a risky start. Suh on the other hand will get his fair share of tackles because the Bucs will try and establish the run and ran 59.5% of the time between the GUARDS. Suh, sacks or not is in line for a nice day...but it should also be noted that a 3-star ranking for a DL doesn't mean it compares to a 3-star ranking for a LB...the IDP Game Breakdowns assume 2 starting DL and 3 starting LBs. Also, Freeman's mobility is more a factor when I assign a rating to a DE than a DT.

Good luck guys!

Bob K

Posted Sep 8, 2011 4:51pm EDT

Like the format. Any strong thoughts on Laurinaitis vs. Loftin? Both are 3-star but Laurinaitis seems to have the edge based on Phil. tackle opportunities?

Dominic

Posted Sep 8, 2011 2:45pm EDT

Very nice thank you...one question though. Why so low on D. Ware Dallas against the run heavy Jets? I can play him or Suh alongside C. Woodson and was leaning Ware (tackle and interception heavy format) I was thinking Ware would be a tackle machine with decent upside to pick or sack Sanchez whereas Freeman is mobile and harder to sack even for a stud like Suh. Thanks!

Steve G.

Posted Sep 8, 2011 10:08am EDT

I hope everyone likes the new format. Especially considering you get it a day earlier than last year.

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